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CHAPTER 29
Even compared to my royal palace chambers, the Tower of Lord Ruberigo was impressively luxurious.
To confirm that the entire fifth floor was indeed reserved for us, Carmen personally gave us a full tour, proudly introducing each room one by one.
Every room on the right side of the hallway was designated as mine, while those on the left were Cecile’s.
I was satisfied.
“Judging by how fairly they divided the space, maybe they’re not entirely unreasonable.”
Cecile must have thought the same; she nodded silently as her eyes scanned the ornate, gilded walls. After explaining everything, Carmen handed us a magical artifact with a final instruction: shake it if we needed anything before the banquet. Someone would come to fetch us when the banquet began.
“An artifact, huh…”
I placed the diamond-shaped object gently on the desk and continued looking around.
That’s when Cecile knocked on the door and entered.
I turned toward her, curious about her visit. She bowed respectfully.
“Magician Carmen gave us permission to tour the Magic Tower. If you’re free, would you like to come with me?”
“A tour of the Magic Tower…”
I hesitated but nodded. Cecile extended her hand, and we left the room together.
Kosaren’s people didn’t get along well with the Imperial family, so this might be our only chance to see the inside of the tower.
Cecile rubbed her cheek with one finger.
“But… where should we start?”
“Did Magician Carmen mention any off-limits areas? We can just avoid those.”
“Off-limits areas… oh, yes. The very top floor is the Tower Master’s personal domain, and we’re not allowed there without permission. And also…”
“And?”
“She said the seventh floor is restricted.”
The seventh floor? What was there again?
After a moment of thought, I clapped lightly.
“Oh, right. That person.”
Adix Ruberigo’s cherished one.
“His son…”
“Pardon, Your Highness?”
Cecile looked confused. I shook my head.
“It’s nothing. What else?”
“She didn’t mention anything further. The first floor is just a lobby, not much to see. The second and third are labs, and the fourth is a training hall.”
The fifth and sixth floors housed our quarters, as well as a storage area for magical ingredients and herbs.
The seventh floor belonged to Ruberigo’s son. And the upper floors—filled with lethal traps—were strictly forbidden, according to Carmen’s warning.
“If we go to the labs, people might say we came to steal Ruberigo’s research. Let’s just check out the training ground.”
“That seems wise.”
Cecile’s eyes lit up. She straightened her posture and her cheeks flushed slightly with anticipation.
“I heard Ruberigo’s mages are incredibly strong. One of them supposedly has the strength of five hundred ogres. Though, of course, our court mages are superior.”
“And what’s your point?”
“Would it be acceptable if I sparred with one of them?”
I knew it.
Cecile was a woman with the muscle mass of ten grown men.
As the commander of the Imperial Knights, it made sense—but knowing her, the request still gave me pause.
“Beating up our own court mages wasn’t enough for you?”
She was a woman so terrifying that enemy soldiers refused to enter the battlefield if they knew she was there, claiming that any who met her would be reduced to pulp before they could scream.
She was also the first female swordsman to master every sword style by age ten and reached Aura Master status two years later.
In other words—
“You beat mages in less than a minute.”
Sure, Ruberigo’s mages were powerful.
But standing beside Cecile, they looked like timid fawns next to a predator. I gave her a long, skeptical look.
“No rampaging. This isn’t the time to show off.”
“But Your Highness, Ruberigo’s mages aren’t weaklings. They wouldn’t lose to a mere swordswoman…”
You are not “mere” anything.
“Even if we’re destined to be rivals, I must avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”
When I shook my head again, Cecile’s shoulders drooped.
She pouted all the way to the training ground.
The training ground was just one floor down. As soon as we entered, the mages stiffened.
“That’s the one who sent the duel letter to the Tower Master…”
“Apparently, she wrote it herself—in beautiful calligraphy—with that angelic face.”
“Estie’s royalty is on another level.”
Several sharp gazes turned toward me.
Cecile, who had looked thoroughly dejected earlier, suddenly lit up and radiated “I’m ready to fight” energy. I quickly grabbed her arm.
“Let it go, Cecile.”
I knew she’d use any excuse to pick a fight.
She lowered her arm with a sulky look when I gave her a hard stare.
Leaving her behind, I approached one of the mages and politely asked if we could observe.
“Uh… I guess that’s fine.”
Though reluctant, the mage agreed.
I settled on a bench tucked into a corner of the training area—a resting spot for students, perhaps.
Many of the mages kept glancing over.
Cecile leaned down to whisper, “Should I gouge out their eyes for you, Your Highness?”
I gave her a look like she had just suggested I eat moldy bread.
‘I’ll ignore that.’
Turning my attention away from her, I watched the practice sessions. As expected of a prestigious Magic Tower, the level of magic on display was impressive.
One mage completed a chant and formed a glowing blue orb of mana in her hand.
The orb floated for a second—then struck the ground like a thunderbolt.
BOOM!
The explosion was deafening, but the mages stayed focused, continuing their drills and sparring.
Cecile shifted her weight, clearly itching to jump in. I tightened my grip on her arm to keep her still.
“I heard she came under the Emperor’s orders. So she’s been cast aside, huh?”
Cecile and I both froze.
Her playful expression vanished, and I turned my eyes toward the mage who had just spoken.
“Oh no, did you hear that, Your Highness? My apologies.”
“At least you know you should apologize.”
I replied coldly. The mage smirked.
“But it’s true, isn’t it? Even in this backwater province, we hear the rumors. ‘A blemish.’ Isn’t that what they call you, First Princess?”
“What did you just say…!”
Cecile’s voice rose sharply, but I held up a hand to stop her.
“Don’t.”
Not yet.
Cecile bit her lip, understanding what I meant.
Other mages had gathered by then, snickering.
“Honestly, it’s suspicious, right? Why else would the Emperor order the First Princess to come here? He basically sent her to die. He knows how bad our relations are.”
“She must be a useless pawn. How pitiful, discarded so young.”
It was like a small social circle had formed, masquerading as a mage’s domain.
They acted like they pitied me—but their eyes brimmed with scorn and amusement.
I closed my eyes.
‘I could break an arm or two and get away with it, probably.’
A thin smile tugged at my lips.
As the tension peaked, a young mage—clearly sent by Carmen—burst in to stop the scene.
“That’s! En! Ough!”
A girl with deep blue hair entered boldly, placing her hands on her hips.
I blinked at the unexpected entrance.
‘Who is this?’
She looked around my age but had no hesitation scolding older mages. Then she ran over to me.
“The banquet has started, Your Highness! The Tower Master is waiting!”
“Already…?”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
She grabbed my hand and led the way, the mages returning to their training as if nothing had happened.
“I will personally crush every one of them someday,” Cecile muttered darkly, following behind.
The little girl leaned toward me and asked quietly, “Your Highness, did something happen just now?”
Her voice was oddly polite for someone her age.
I tilted my head.
“Hmm… and your name?”
She blinked her bright teal eyes and replied proudly, “Asta!”
‘I’ve never heard of her.’
Those mages just now were third-circle or higher, yet she’d subdued them effortlessly.
‘No way someone like that would go unnoticed.’
I studied her curiously. She tilted her head.
“Do you need something from me, Your Highness?”
“…Just looking.”
She nodded, then cheerfully led the way. Soon we reached the Tower’s banquet hall.
The doors opened as we approached—likely enchanted.
Asta gave me a playful shove, practically throwing me inside, then turned and grinned at the man seated at the head of the table.
“I brought her, Tower Master!”
She was very familiar with him.
No one had ever spoken to Adix Ruberigo so casually—except for one other.
His son.
And his response?
“Well done, Asta.”
Adix smiled gently at her.
She grinned, pressed her head lightly against his knee, and vanished—teleportation magic.
The moment she disappeared, his face turned cold.
Leaning back with a frosty smirk, he gestured to the seat across from him.
“Sit, First Princess.”
“Gladly.”
I took my seat and looked over the elaborate feast—seafood, roasted meats, various soups, all exquisitely presented.
Adix commented as he watched me scan the table.
“I didn’t know your tastes, so I prepared everything.”
“I’m honored.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Assuming it’s not poisoned.
He chuckled.
I ignored him and began eating, stabbing a shrimp with my fork.
He leaned back, eyes fixed on me.
“So, why are you really here? I know this wasn’t an imperial order. You sent that duel letter yourself.”
“Curious, are you?”
I chewed the shrimp calmly. He remained silent, waiting.
“I’ll be direct. I’m not patient.”
That makes two of us.
I set down my utensils and smiled.
“How about a wager? Just like I proposed in the letter.”
“With you? Estie’s infamous First Princess?”
“I think you’ll find it tempting.”
“Try me.”
He folded his arms smugly.
If I had the power, I’d wipe that smirk clean off his face.
“I want the data and partnership you have with Dolak Taksiden.”
“You’re insane if you think I’d give that up.”
His voice dropped, the atmosphere chilling.
From outside, Cecile screamed my name—she had been thrown out when we entered.
Adix’s magical pressure crackled like lightning.
Cecile pounded the sealed door, unable to enter.
I met his eyes.
“You’re after the Heart of Arteessa, aren’t you?”
CRASH—!
RUMBLE—!
The ground quaked, silverware shattered.
“How dare you speak that name…!”
Adix Ruberigo’s voice twisted with rage, power erupting from his body like a storm.
Smiling coolly, I met his eyes.
“Now you’re interested in negotiating?”
The First Princess of Estie and the Tower Master of Kosaren—eye to eye at last.
